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Sierra excited for Bombonera date

Union Espanola coach Jose Luis Sierra is anticipating taking on Boca Juniors in their own backyard in their Copa Libertadores last-16 tie.

Sierra compared Boca's Bombonera stadium to Real Madrid's Bernabeu as one of the greatest places in the world to play football.

The Chilean side, who qualified in first place from their group, meet Boca on Wednesday in the first leg of their tie, with Sierra familiar with the venue at Union's away leg as he used to play with the Argentine club.

Speaking ahead of the continental clash, Sierra affirmed that playing in such a distinguished stadium had to give the match extra importance for Espanola.

"It is extra motivation. It is like when one tells you they are going to play in the Santiago Bernabeu. They are world-class stages, with history, but this is still football, it is just a stadium and we have to ignore everything else," Sierra said during a press conference.

Sierra continued to downplay the importance of paying special attention to Juan Roman Riquelme.

The legendary number 10 has been sporadically involved for the Argentine club in 2012 due to fitness concerns, but is expected to start on Wednesday in a strong Boca line-up.

"I do not believe in singling one player out for extra marking, our collective play is much more important than watching one individual," Sierra said.

Espanola finished the group stage with 10 points, topping Group 3 on goal difference ahead of Bolivar.